Suspension clamp



Nov. 24, 1953 R. L. M COY SUSPENSION CLAMP Filed Aug. 22, 1947 IN V ENTOR. Hoberf I m/T10 (by Patented Nov. 24, 1953 SUSPENSION CLAMPRoller-till. -;Mc'Coy,.,-Baltimore, Md., zassignor ,to General ElectricCompany, a corporation of New .York

Application' August 22, 1947,-Serial N0. 7 7 0,071

. 5 Claims. 2' 1 "This'invention relates itora suspension clamp andmore: particularly to;.a ssuspension clamp-for supporting a high voltagetransmissionrline conductor or'cable.

Itq'has heretofore been proposeditosupport ;a

transmission line conductor (the term conductor being understood as;also describing :what :might .be referredrto as .a cable) :byrmeans:of:a rigidzsaddle or envelope" type .clamp which; holds ':up theconductor and which is," inturn,; attached :.to:a:sup'port member-at.the endJofan insulator string. Suchdevices :are in common 'use andperform the 2 function .of notonly supporting the :conductorbut-also of;clamping'.it against sliding. movement.

While .such'devices are :foundzto besatisfactory "for supporting.conductorsaused.undenwhat might lbe-tterme'd'normal transmission line1voltages, it i-isfound that they .aredecidedly'not satisfactoryzwhenapplie'd .to large diameter vconductors used in lvery'high voltageinstallations "to avoid =excessive: corona :loss. Such a conductor wouldor- :dinarily bezof thehollowcore type (or A. C.-S.-R. type) esinceexternal diameter is the important factor rather than solid crosssection. A, large diameter conductor when1used;.in a transmission lineinstallation is subject to certain physical limitations with respect toits suspension from "the ordinarysuspension insulator on a, supportingtower. :Among other things it cannot be supported .at a. single point.or even at-a fairlyrestricted longitudinally disposed ."area ofsupport, when used in the ordinarylong spans involved, since anything-inthe natureof asharp bendin Kthe conductor cannot be tolerated. In .other-words,z:the supporting :clamp ;must readily -acecommodate the take-offangles encountered in 1 transmission: line 7. construction and :at thesame time not'zbend the conductor, around too sharp. a

radius.

Even. if made unusually, long in the longitudinal direction of theconductoryand even if made-with a long sweeping'radius of curvature;designed to :supportithe'conductor in such a ,manner'as-toeliminateanything in the nature ofa sharp-bend atithe effective'centerof support, ,the conventional rigid saddle orenvelopetype clampis-stillnot completely :satisf-actory; forasupporting large diameter conductorsor cables ofthe typementioned above. For one thing, such a conventionalclamp would have to be unduly bulky or large in orderto have sufficientstrength. Furthermore, eveniif theradius of curvature ofsuch-.-a-'-clamp were made long and sweeping in order to. accommodate alarge diameter conductor, it is found in a, practice: that the profileof'a conductor-at any particular tower'supportcannot be definitelydetermined. in advance ;.-and, accordingly, thereis no assurance 1 that'the predetermined curvature of a conventional'typeclamp-would becorrectfor the particular tower. installation involved. Since .2 :aconventional type iclamp' would be necessarily largein order tohave.sufiicientstrength to sup- -.port:a large diameter conductor-of thetypeunder discussion, it follows that such a clamp would haveconsiderableinertia, thereby preventing it ;from eifectivelyfollowingmovementsof the :con- ..ductor caused by windage or otherconductor vibrations. .As'az-result, there; is a-tendency for theconductor to pound or-beatagainstthe clamp where the-conductor :becomestangent to, i. e.

-makes'initial contact"with,-the'clamp which resultsin work hardening of{the conductortmaterialandgreater susceptibility to material fatigue atthis location. This,:of :course, canresult in conductor'fracture.

Having the ,1 foregoingv in :mind, I have found that :the disadvantagesof a conventional rigid saddle or envelopetype clampcan-begovercome byproviding a suspensionclamp -havingha number of rugged lightweight"parts --flexibly disposed with relation to eachother. Inmy invention,-the conductor .is supported :on an odd number of separate saddlespreferablythree. Each of these saddles isprovidedwithsupportingtrunnions and these .trunnions-are connected by flexiblelinkages,

thereby providing a; flexible; link interconnection between eachindividual ssaddle. .The interconnecting linkages and,;of.-course, theindividual saddles. are supported'fromthe lower fitting of an insulatorstring 1. by. other links attached to the interconnecting linkages .at:some :desired point :b.etweenithe:trunnions of the individual saddles.

"By this type .of construction the total weight of r the:suspensionrclamp is. considerably reduced inasmuch as a number. of:relatively small ind-ividual 1 parts are substituted :for a large;mass, said mass being inecessarily, large both because of strengthrequirements and because it has .to the: made. so; in: order: to get; asweeping radius of curvature. :The total -.;weight :of-the Span'to :besupported is divided among individual supporting :saddles and-theweightproportionborneby each sa'ddlewis' capable; of adjustment; by suitablyproportioning'the lengthsof: the links interconnect- .ing theindividual-saddles. ;--Besides conforming to the conductor profile atraparticular support- .ing tower; the clamp also tends to beself-adjusting tospan.conditions-which might arise in service. zThere:is little possibility of the: conductor leaving:contact-withanyone ofthe saddles under vibratory; conditions. since each :saddle is made'relativ'ely short, individualsaddles can'move vertically'relativetoeach other; andathe whole clamp oan.;.pivot: about: thenmainsupporting lug carried by the insulator. ,Pounding or beating of theconductor: against thesaddle seats and flexing of the conductor:.arethereby effectively minimized. It: will thusibegseen that thedisadvantages found :with 1 the conventional; rigid saddle or envelopeGO 1 type. clamp are effectively overcome.

Accordingly it is anobjectof my. invention to provide a new and improvedsuspension clamp having a number of rugged lightweight parts flexiblydisposed with relation to each other.

It is another object of my invention to provide a means for supporting atransmission line conductor or the like on a number of supportingmembers and relating the supporting effort of said supporting members insuch manner that a change in the supporting effort of one of saidmembers results in a movement of said supporting means and an oppositechange in the supporting effort of another of said members which tendsto return the supporting effort of the first mentioned member to itsoriginal value.

It is a further object of my invention to provide a new and improvedsuspension clamp for supporting a transmission line conductor or thelike having a plurality of conductor supporting saddles interconnectedby a system of linkages and adapted to yieldably support a relativelylarge diameter conductor in such a way as to conform to the naturalprofile of the conductor.

It is still another object of my invention to provide such a clampwhich, while itself is effectively supported from a single point,supports the conductor at a plurality of points to give a predeterminedweight distribution as between the plurality of supporting points.

It is a still further object of my invention to provide such a clamp inwhich the tendency of the conductor to leave the clamp and subsequent lybeat thereagainst is minimized by permitting relative vertical movementof the individual conductor supporting saddles and also permittingrotation of the entire clamp assembly about a central supporting memberin the event that conductor vibrations occur.

It is still another object of my invention to provide such a clamp inwhich friction caused by relative movements between the clamp partstends to impose a damping action in the event of conductor vibrations.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will becomeapparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunctionwith the attached drawing in which Figure 1 is a side elevation of myconductor suspension clamp; Figure 2 is a top or plan view; Figure 3 isa crosssectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1; Figure 4 is across-sectional view taken on line L4 of Figure 1; and Figure 5 is across-sectional view taken on line 5-5 of Figure 1.

In the embodiment of my invention illustrated on the drawing, andreferring more particularly to Figures 1 and 2, it will be observed thata hollow core type conductor I is supported on three spaced saddlemembers designated generally at I I, I2, and I3. These supporting saddlemembers are, in turn, pivotally supported by angular shaped link membersdesignated generally at I4 and I4, and I and I5. As will be explainedmore in detail hereinafter, adjacent ends of the angular shaped links Mand I5, and I4 and I5 overlap and are pivotally connected to the centersaddle supporting member l2. Furthermore, it can be observed that thelinks M and 14 are of identical shape and are spaced apart on eitherside of the hollow core conductor ID; the same is true of the links I5and IS.

The angular shaped links just described are, in turn, supported bycurved links I6 and I6, and I1 and H which may be referred tocollectively as a support yoke. Adjacent ends of these curved links,such as those of links [6 and I1, overlap and are pivotally connected,in a manner explained more in detail hereinafter, to a verticallydepending supporting lug I8 which is secured to a member such as thebottom insulator IQ of a string of insulators. Since the curved link I6is positioned in spaced relation to the curved link IE on the other sideof the hollow core conductor I0 and the curved link I1 is similarlypositioned with respect to curved link I1, adjacent ends of the curvedlinks I6 and I1 also overlap and are pivotally connected to the mainsupporting lug [8. Actual supporting of the angular shaped links M, I4,I5 and I5 by the curved links I5, I6, I! and I1 is achieved through apivotal type connection between the outer ends of the curved links andan intermediate portion of the angular shaped links in a manner whichwill be described more in detail hereinafter. It is sufficient merely tonote at this point that the curved links support the angular shapedlinks through the medium of pivotal connections, and that the angularshaped links likewise support the saddle members through the medium ofpivotal connections, thereby produeing an extremely flexible typesupport for the conductor [0, and one that is pivotal as a whole aboutthe main supporting lug I8.

Since the supporting saddles II, [2 and [3 actually engage the conductorI0, these saddles can be referred to as primary supporting members.Furthermore, since the angular shaped links I4, I4, I5 and I5 supportthe saddle members, the angular shaped links can be described as beingsecondary supporting members. Finally, since the curved links I6, I6, I!and IT support the angular shaped links, the curved links can bereferred to or described as being tertiary supporting members. Thislanguage is a convenient way of describing the various supportingmembers insofar as their actual engagement with the corn ductor I0 isconcerned.

Considering the individual supporting saddles, the saddle members If andI3, which might be termed the outer saddle members since they arepositioned an equal distance on either side of the central saddle memberI2, are constructed alike and for this reason it is deemed unnecessaryto describe both in detail. Instead, only the outer saddle member i3 isso described.

This saddle member is shown in Figures 1 and 2 and is also shown incross-section in Figure 5. From these figures it can be seen that thesaddle member I3 includes a saddle seat por tion 28 having a liner 2!thereon which bears against the underside of conductor it throughoutapproximately 01 the circumference of this conductor. The liner 2! is ofthe same material as the conductor hence assuring metalto-metal contactbetween the same, instead of different metals, thereby avoidingelectrolytic action and conductor Wear if the saddle itself is a metalharder than the conductor. In a typical installation, the conductor iiiand liner H are made of copper whereas the saddle proper is made ofgalvanized mild steel. The sides 22 and 23 of saddle member I3 extendupward and are approximately the height of the conductor Hl when thelatter is positioned in the saddle member. Midway of these saddle membersides 22 and 23, trunnion members 24 and 25 formed thereon and extend atsubstantially right angles away from the sides, as can be observed fromFigure 5. The trunnion members 24 and 25 are substantially circular incrosssection, at least adjacent the saddle sides 22 and 23, and thecommon axis of these trunnion membersrpasses tlhrough ithfiiCBnterOfth8COn "i'ductor I0. Trunnion fl is made slightly-longer "than trunnion:ineordertoobtainflproper cen- --tering of saddle i3' witlrrespect -tocenter saddle I 2. The saddle seat fli, liner 2 l,- and 'sides 22 5 5and 23 are flared outwardly l to provide asconventional belhmodth shape-'at 'oairzh end-of the saddleats indicated at 26- and 21. The-arrange---ment,-::of' course, avoids presenting-a= sharp sedge *to the conductoras it'rests on the saddle.

Referring" now" to the angular-shaped links 15 and =15, it can=be-'-seen' .thatthe arms 5 28 and "29 or these links each contains,-..adj acent the "end -of the arm, a generally circular opening. Fonexample, the-arm 28 contains the opening "30'-=and the --arm"'29contains the opening 3L Theseopenings-are for the purpose of I receivingthe ends of trunnion members 24 and 25 in "order that these trunnionmembers-and, in turn, the saddle member 13- canbesuppor-tedby the"links- 15 andi5. Referring"particularly to Figure 5, itis observedt'hat-"the -end 32 of trunnion member 24 is stepped down -in'diameterfrom the remainder of the trunnion -member=and PeXtendsthrQughtheopening 'SO in arm -28 of link [5. Furthermore, this end-32 of the trun-"-nion memberld is *provided'witha downwardly "extending'oroverhanginglip- 33 which, and particularlywhen a weightis imposed'on saddle memberl3, overhangs the 'lower side-of open ings 33, thereby; providinga-cat'ch" and preventingsl-ippage of 'theend 32'o'i trunnion "24-in-.wardly through'thisopening. "As an added precaution against such"slippage, a safety cotter 'pin :34 is provided. 'The arrangement'forthe"oppositely extending trunnion member 2 5 which eXten'dsth-roughopening3l "in'arm *29 oflink l5- is the same as that just described withregard to trunnion"24;andhencenofneed is seen to "repeat" thedetails"oisuch"idescription. Since 7 the "saddle member I3 is thuspivotallysupported ona centerline which passes throughthe "center ofthe. conductor t0, the-saddle member t can readily conform to thetake-o'fi angle of the :conductor'with' respect" to the'whole clamp. As:was, previously' mentioned, the arrangement "offparts for saiddlelliiis'the same-:asthearrangement for 'sa'ddle"|3 and 'sincethis'latterarrangement has been described "in detail, ano "'need' is" seen" torepeat'jsuch "details'With respect tosaddle member I l The centersupporting'saddle' t2 is'constructe'd "generally similar I to i theouter supporting "sad- .dles' l l and I3 but is larger than eitherof-said isupportingsaddles. .For one "thing, Tithe center throughoutsubstantially 180 of the circumference of this conductor. suchengagement "can be-observed frOm Figure' B. Also} like the outersupporting saddles the center supporting saddle iz'in'cludessaddle sidemembers 35 and ETbut these saddle sidemembers do not :have' as great aheight? as: do, for: example the'tsad'dleside .niemhers-22 andzsiofasad'dle I 3' since. the centersaddle I2 is providedwithaaz:clamping member 558; the details of which are described laterin?this: specification. Becauseiof this :clamping.- member :38

..the:'=saddlessidennembers.l6rzandialsdogznot2zextend .quite'iwto. thetopfofithe conductor: 1 01' when the latter is positionedinsadd1e I 2.

However, :and :like the rearrangement wfor ethe enters-saddles l Izaandl3, trunnion members- '39 @and Q40 care formed .on the 2 center isaddle581618 members 2' 36 rand 31 approximately imidwaysof the lengthofarjthese side members. iliurthenmore, iasccan bef observedfromtz-Figurelzii the: common axis oflhesestrunnion members: 39 a1id40;:which are :-.:general-ly circular crosseseetion, through. the.center ofthe; conductor 1 l 0. .aTrunnionninember 39,:isastepped'idownindiameter-ed- -j acentits enld I ,i'ifiSfiS shown'zin l lig ureslipaaid;.this end? 'is :providediwith -amdownwardly extendingllip 42.

Adjacent ends of arms143'and-44. thesewrms being; parts. of,:respectively,' angular shaped links I 5 and? l4, -are each; provided--wi.th--:;a generally 20 circular opening; theseopeningsrbeingdesig-nated xatiiancl 46;=see?Eigure23. When my suspension;clamp 'iS assembled condition, the -aadja.cent -endscof arms '43 amr44overlap asi shown :in FYigures 1,-22 and: 3 so: that openings-45 and 46%are in registryzwith one anothena-ndareso positioned as: to receive theistepped-downdiameter portion :of trunnion 39* WhiCh iS'-=adjaCBnt% theends 4| E'Of said trunnion. By :this; arrangement; thertr-unmon 39. issupportedby" linkaarms 43 2mm; since the trunnion: can'rbearlagainstithelower sides of the:openings-45-and=4liin these linkiarms. When weight:is applied to :the' l center saddle 12,: this 'causes .thetrunnioniSSit-o :exert-aznforce idownwardcorrthe' link arms and andalso-causes .Lthe :1ip:42 :to a overhang -..the;'lower--edgestof theopenings 45 and 46 more.positively,.therebm preventing; inwardimovementrof trunnion v39 with respectito:ttheglinkrarms flrand fl.:Iffidesired, safetyzcotter 'pirrzfkcansalso zbe; provided. Thearrangement. fontnunnion member: hand-them- .agagement ofnth-istrunnionamember withered-ja- :centyendssof angular links: l 4-.==and:i5: is the same iasethat just dw'cribed with respect. to trunnion :39 2'and: :hence it {1S not. deemed necessary-to repeat'fdetails of thearrangement. 'forasupporting trunnion, 4 0.

, As was 1-previous1y :mentioned, :the angular shapedril-inks I4, 14, i5.and J5 are supported sby the'zcurved links: t6; l6, I'L- and? I1..'1?his. sup

5o mortiistaccomplishedv:atra. pointedjacent the ends ..of ithe curvedilinks, and. likewisewadjacent the wbendiinthe ang' -ularshapedi linkssndtheisupporting:arrangementqinvolving, :links I 41? and M *mnddinksi'iii-and l 6511's described;deta;i1,:it.-be-

sing nnder'stood athatwthe supporting: arrangement in'volvingxlinks l 5and I5 '--and I11 and I1 'is identical thereto.

Withreference to-Eigures 1,-- 2,iand.-3,- the-curved links I6 :and t6rare rigidly wattached totspacer of taachieving a rigid connectionbetween these -links;and the: spacer-sleeves. can :be used-=1. haveillustrated :fl =llet-weld connections 5 I for accomplishing this.By-virture of the connectionbecan be" seen-than-movemenn of the: linkscan refsu'lt' i-nimovementof the sleeves'asr a. unit. Ar b0lt 2-rextendsthrough aligned-openings inathevlinks i M; t6; ifi'iand l:4'-an'dissurrounded by'thesleeves 70. 43 50. 'I'he openings in. links I4 andMiare of -lessdiameter than the ou-tsidediametersoi? spac- -ingsleevesand? 50-= whereby,+when:'the bolt$52 is tightened against washers 53which enge ethe :Eouter sides: of links sand i4, these IinksQ aretightenedsagainstithefiends of sleeves vflzand lu but are not, however,rigidly attached thereto. This allows pivotal movement of the links 16and I6 with respect to the links I4 and I4. Also, the pivotal engagementof the links I6 and I6 with bolt 52 obviously causes these links tosupport the links H and I4. In order to tighten the bolt 52, I use anordinary hexagonal nut 54 and also provide a safety cotter pin 55.

The overlapping ends of link 16 and i1, and I6 and I1 respectively, areretained in overlapped position by the following arrangement. A bolt 56extends through opening 51 in the bottom portion 58 of supporting lugI8. This bolt 56 also passes through openings such as the openings 59and 60 adjacent the ends of curved links 16 and I1. Similar openings areprovided adjacent the overlapping ends of links I6 and IT. The bottomportion 58 of lug l8 acts as a spacer between the overlapped ends oflinks I6 and I1 and the overlapped ends of links l6 and [1. Accordingly,when the bolt head and nut 6| are tightened against Washers 62, theoverlapped ends Just mentioned are held in properly spaced relation andare free to pivot with respect to each other. A safety cotter pin 63 isprovided.

It is to be further noted that the curved links I6, l6, l1 and [1 arenot rigidly attached to supporting lug I8 but, instead are pivotallyconnected thereto. The avoidance of a rigid connection between thecurved supporting links and the supporting lug l8 enables the entireassemblage of links and saddles to rotate as a unit about lug l8. Suchaction might result if one side of the clamp, considered in a directionlengthwise of the conductor, is subjected to greater rotational stressesthan the other side.

Referring more particularly to Figures 2 and 4, it will be seen that thecentral supporting saddle I2 is provided with a clamp for securing theconductor ll! against longitudinal movement with respect to the saddle.This clamp, considered as a unit, comprises the saddle I2 itself, akeeper block 38, and U-shaped clamping bolts 64 and 65 which are securedin place by means such as the nuts 66 and 61. Taking the U-shapedclamping bolt 65 as an example, this bolt passes through openings inoppositely disposed ears 68 and 69 which are formed integral with saddlemember l2. The clamping nuts 61 engage the underside of these ears andpull the clamping bolt 65 firmly against keeper 38, the liner of which,in turn, engages the upper surface of conductor III to hold the latterfirmly in place against saddle seat liner 35'. The bore of saddle memberl2, i. e. the bore of the seat portion 35 and the sides of the saddlememberpin association with the keeper block 38 is designed to correspondas nearly as possible with the diameter of the conductor I0 so that whenthe keeper block is drawn down on the conductor the supporting saddleand keeper block will make a close fit with the conductor throughoutapproximately 90% of its circumference. Notice that the saddle sides arerecessed at H and 12 to accommodate the lower edges of the keeper. Thisarrangement permits the clamp to be drawn tightly around the conductorto restrict the same against longitudinal movement without tending tocrush or deform the conductor. The ends 13 and 14 of saddle I2 and theends and 16 of keeper 3B are flared outward to form the conventionalbell-mouth arrangement for preventing damage to the conductor.

While I have shown a clamping arrangement for securing the conductor IIJagainst longitudinal movement with respect to the center saddle l2, andhave shown the outer saddles H and 13 without any corresponding clampingarrangement, it will be understood that if it is desired to do so clampsmay likewise be applied to these outer supporting saddles II and I3.

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provideda relatively lightweight suspension clamp for supporting large diameterhigh voltage conductors, such as are used in transmission lineinstallations, and that the clamp is made up of a number of ruggedlightweight parts assembled together in what might be termed articulatedrelation, thereby providing freedom of movement between individualparts. The suspension clamp arrangement, as viewed in side elevation, issymmetrical so that the conductor is supported in a uniform manner,conforming with its profile, with respect to a central point of support.For example, in the particular embodiment illustrated, the conductor Itis supported at three locations, i. e.

the saddle members ll, l2 and I3, spaced apart longitudinally of theconductor. Furthermore, the outer saddles II and 13 are symmetricallydisposed with respect to the central saddle l2 and the latter ispositioned substantially on a center line extending vertically downwardfrom the supporting lug l8 which is attached to the bottom insulator l9.This means that there is a distributed support arrangement whereby abalanced support of the conductor ii! is obtained with respect to theinsulator l9.

By suitably proportioning the dimensions of the angular shaped links M,M, I5 and 15, the spacing of the points of support and the weightdistribution as between the respective conductor supporting saddles canbe predetermined at will so as to achieve the correct takeofi angle atthe outer saddles. With the proportioning illustrated in the drawing,that is, the proportioning of the length of arms such as arms 28 and 43of link l5, the weight distribution is such that approximately 60% ofthe total weight of the span is supported at center saddle l2 andapproximately 20% is supported at each of the outer saddles II and I3.Of course, it will be understood that this relationship or proportioningof the arms such as arms 28 and 43 of link [5 is merely illustrative andthat the weight ratio could be changed to conform to other desireddistribution ratios as between the center saddle support and the outersaddle supports.

It will be observed that the angular shaped links, such as links M andI5, are of bell crank shape with the elbow of the bell crank locatedbelow the center line of the conductor H). Inasmuch as the upper orcurved supporting links. such as 46 and H, are attached to these bellcrank links l4 and i5, substantially at the elbows of the latter, theends of each bell crank shaped link can pivot about the connection atthe elbow and hence, for the arrangement shown in the drawing, theindividual saddles ll, l2 and [3 can move vertically relative to eachother. Since such movement can take place as between respective saddles,a change such as a decrease in the weight load on one saddle is normallyaccompanied by a change in the opposite direction, i. e. a weightincrease on another saddle, and this latter change, through the mediumof the bell crank link arrangement returns the first changed saddle backto its original weight carrying status. In this manner the mechanism isselfadjusting and tends to maintain the predetermined weightdistribution between relative saddles, previously referred to.Furthermore, it will be noticed that the center supporting saddle I2 islinked to each of the outer supporting saddles H and 13, whereby achange in the weight load on either of the outer saddles will cause achange in the weight load on the center supporting saddle, and viceversa. This not only maintains weight distribution but also maintainssymmetry.

Because of the lightness of the individual parts of my mechanism theseparts, such as the supporting saddles, have low inertia and can readilyfollow conductor movements such as movements of the conductor away fromthe outer supporting saddles thereby effectively preventing pounding andbeating of the conductor against the saddles. This means that when theself-adjust ing action of the suspension clamp takes place there is noappreciable inertia of parts tending to hinder such action. Some dampingof conductor vibration is achieved by reason of the natural frictionbetween a number of moving parts. This clamping can be increased bytightening nuts, such as BI and 54, or by providing spring Washers at 53and 62, or both.

By using the arrangement which I have described, it is possible toreduce the clamp dimensions considerably as compared to a conventionalrigid saddle clamp. To illustrate, for a line requiring 1.65" diameterhollow conductor it was found that the rigid saddle type clamp would be34" long, whereas my type clamp totaled 21 in length. By placing thecurved supporting links, such as I6 and [1, between the angular shapedlinks, such as l4 and I5, the width of the clamp is kept down. Thecurvature of links such as I6 and I1 enables them to clear the centersaddle assembly. Total height of the clamp is kept down by the curvedlink arrangement and the connecting of these links to the angular linksat elbows located lower than the conductor. The arrangement is thus bothrelatively light and compact.

In the embodiment of my invention which I have selected for illustrationand description, I have shown a three-saddle supporting arrangement. Itis not critical to the practice of my invention that three saddles onlybe used, although such a number of saddles is rather desirable from apractical standpoint. If desired, a greater number of supporting saddlescould be utilized but, in View of symmetry requirements and the factthat to achieve such symmetry one saddle is best located beneath themain support member attached to an insulator string, this dictates thatan odd number of supporting saddles should be provided. For a number ofsaddles greater than three, an interconnecting linkage arrangementsimilar to that which I have illustrated and described can readily beprovided.

Accordingly, while I have shown and described a particular embodiment ofmy invention, I wish it to be understood that I do not intend to berestricted solely thereto but that I do intend to cover allmodifications thereof which would be readily apparent to one skilled inthe art and which come within the spirit and scope of my invention.

Having thus described my invention, what is claimed as new and desiredto be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A cable supporting device comprising three equally spaced apartaligned supporting saddles positioned along a common axis, trunnionmembers on each of said saddles, there being a trunnion memberprojecting from each side of a saddles member, a pair of spaced bellcrank shaped levers pivotally connecting each adjacent pair of saddlemembers, said saddle members being positioned between said levers andthe trunnion members on said saddle members engaging said levers,adjacent ends of said levers being positioned in overlapping relation atthe middle saddle member and being pivotally connected to the trunnionmembers thereon, a pair of supporting links pivotally connected to eachpair of hell crank shaped levers adjacent the elbows thereof, andsupport means pivotally connecting said supporting links to each other,said last named means being positioned above the middle saddle member.

2. A device for supporting a transmission line conductor, said devicecomprising an odd number of equally spaced apart support saddles, aplurality of links interconnecting said saddles for relative movementwith respect to each other, a central supporting member, and a supportyoke pivotally connected to individual links in between said supportsaddles and pivotally connected to said central supporting member.

3. A suspension clamp comprising a central supporting member, an oddnumber of supporting members in tandem spaced relation, one of saidsupporting members being positioned symmetrically with respect to saidcentral supporting member, linking levers pivotally mounted on saidsupporting members interconnecting said members in adjustable spacedrelation in accordance with a selected weight distribution ratio, andlinks extending from said levers to said central supporting member, saidlinks being pivotally connected to said levers between the pivotedconnections to said supporting members and also pivotally connected tosaid central supporting member.

4. A cable suspension clamp comprising a central supporting member,three supporting saddles in tandem spaced relation, the middle one ofsaid saddles being positioned symmetrically with respect to said centralsupporting member and the outer saddles being spaced equally from saidmiddle saddle, an angular shaped link connecting each adjacent pair ofsaddles, the ends of adjacent links being overlapped and pivotallyconnected to the middle saddle, each link including arms of unequallength, and additional link members pivotally connecting said angularshaped link to said central supporting member.

5. A cable suspension clamp as claimed in claim 4 in which the pivotalconnection of the angular links to the additional link members is on theopposite side of the saddles from the connection of the additional linkmembers to the central supporting member.

ROBERT L. MCCOY.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS NumberName Date 1,722,118 Varney July 23, 1929 1,817,313 Hofmann Aug. 4, 19311,872,605 Pohlhausen Aug. 16, 1932 2,086,150 Austin July 6, 19372,086,927 Talbot July 13, 1937 FOREIGN PATENTS Number Country Date391,185 Great Britain Apr. 18, 1933 503,929 Germany July 17, 1930

